Discrimination and Racism
Racism has created a significant division among citizens living in industrialized countries such as Canada. As one of the wealthiest nations of the world with an excellent reputation for human rights, racism and discrimination remain a significant issue in Canada. Marginalized groups living in Canada have not entirely played a substantial role in creating a stable economy. Racism can be viewed as biologically as the physical difference among individuals in terms of skin color and hair texture. Besides, people from different ethnical groups and geographic regions are presented to be of different races in society. Social discrimination has resulted in the unequal distribution of valued resources, rewards, and political positions in society. Racialized groups in Canada live in three times poverty compared to white citizens. These groups are linked to socio-economic insecurity and are among the lowest that live in the country’s economic ladder. Many Canadian citizens are discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, sex, gender identity, and religion. Individuals from one of the social categories will enjoy privileges over others. This paper explains discrimination and racism under social inequality, social status, social organization, and the theory of functionalism.
Social Inequality
Social differentiation
Social inequality describes the uneven distribution of positions and the valued resources among people of a society. Individuals are distinguished in terms of identities, roles, and differences. As a result, these different groups divide people of the community into categories that bring about social inequality (book). Furthermore, social divisions of a specific class, race, gender, or occupation may demand a more significant share of resources in a society. Consequently, the establishment of these social categories become the cause of social inequality in an organization.
Social stratification
Secondly, social inequality can be brought about by social stratification, where citizens are divided into socio-economic groups. These groups are classified based on wealth and property. A society is made up of citizens in different layers, which determines the number of resources distributed to these groups. The people on the topmost layer of social stratification are attributed to receiving more funds compared (book) to their lower counterparts. Those in the uppermost layer will receive better education and will have more income. Therefore, social stratification assigns individuals to groups based on social-economic patterns, thus bringing about Social inequality.
Race
Another cause of social inequality is race. Races are groups that are defined to be different from others and may be due to color or geographic origin. However, racial categories are well described by the social construction of race. This theory describes racial groups to be formed by a social process that grants individuals of this group unequal treatment. This treatment is based on the individual’s physiological difference in skin color (book2). However, in some countries such as Brazil, the class is considered to determine racial categorization instead of skin color. Individuals enjoying the middle-class lifestyle will view themselves as white despite having more melanin in their skin. On the contrary, people with little money and education will be considered to be black even though they have less melanin in their skin. Generally, skin color has played a significant role in social inequality in Canada.
Race can be explained as a social construct where society forms ideas of race-based on the geographic, political, and physical traits of individuals. However, none of these factors can be used to show the superiority of a particular person over the others (Hillebrecht, 2012). (racial discrimination). Discrimination can also be expressed through racial harassment. People may use comments, jokes, name-calling, and behaviors to put others down because of the race (Hillebrecht, 2012). Consequently, this will bring social inequality among citizens of a country.
Standard of living
Standards of living also contribute to social inequality among citizens in society. Income, employment, class, poverty rates, and housing affordability are among the factors that determine an individual’s standards of living. Additionally, a person’s quality of life is determined by the ability to access factors like a car and a house(book 2). With this regard, quality of life relates to the standards of living of an individual in a society. Social inequality is presented where individuals of an organization are deprived of even access to standards of living that allows them to participate equally in community life.
A small population in Canada can be categorized to have the highest standards of living. The distinction between the rich and poor in Canada is shown by the decision making ability of individuals in the highest standards of living (book 2). These individuals own big corporations, such as banks. Such top positions give them the freedom to make decisions such as salary for them and their juniors. Furthermore, research shows an increase in the gap between the rich and the poor among citizens in Canada, which has resulted in social inequality.
Social Identity
Ethnicity
Ethnicity contributes to discrimination in Canada. Many individuals in society use ethnicity as a mode of identification. Ethnicity may include shared religion and language. For instance, the racial group of the white include the Italian, Jewish, and Russians. On the other hand, the British ethnic group is comprised of the racial groups of black, white, and Asians (book 2). These ethnic groups both identify themselves as British. Undoubtedly, ethnicity is a mode of identification for many racial groups.
Social Organization
Minority groups
Individuals in society are organized into minority groups or majority groups. The minority can be described as a group of individuals discriminated from other members of the community based on their cultural and physical behaviors. (book 2) Due to this, they are subject to unequal treatment and may not enjoy the social benefits accrued to the majority group. The majority group holds more power in society. Scapegoat theory states that the group of the majority may displace their unfocused aggression onto a minority group. For instance, Eastern European Immigrants in Canada were branded Bolsheviks and Interned during the economic slump following World War 1. Consequently, the social organization of groups has resulted in discrimination among Canadian citizens.
Functionalism
This theory states that racial and ethnic inequalities serve an essential role as long as they exist. More so, it explains that the dominant group will benefit from discrimination and racism. Comparing to the murder of George Floyd, a large group of Canadian Citizens has shown a decline in the trust of the police. (“Trust in Canadian police drops amid George Floyd protests: poll,” 2020)The decline coincides with the killing of George Floyd on May
25 who was black by white police. Additionally, this resulted in anti-racism protest in the US and Canada with the demand for police reforms. (“Trust in Canadian police drops amid George Floyd protests: poll”, 2020) This case brought emotional support and promoted group cohesion of the black, where they supported one another in the black life matters protest. Moreover, the death of George Floyd informed the world of the systemic racism that black people face in the US and other European countries.
On the other hand, the case of George Floyd had some positive effects on the subordinate group. CBC reported making big and small changes at CBC new current and local affairs (“On George Floyd’s death, journalism and inclusive newsrooms | CBC News”, 2020). Firstly, it promised to be committed to hiring a member from underrepresented equity groups in every two new hires. Secondly, it pledged to hire and promote the very best by drawing from diverse groups (“On George Floyd’s death, journalism and inclusive newsrooms | CBC News”, 2020). Thirdly it promised to expand on the CBC program for emerging diverse leaders. Furthermore, CBC announced to capitalize the word “Black” when referring to racial identity.
Conclusion
Racism and Discrimination in Canada remains a significant concern to citizens from the racialized group in the country. The social construction of racism has resulted in less access to economic resources and opportunities to the minority groups in Canada. However, with the current issue of racism, for instance, the case of George Floyd, the theory of functionalism has proven the role of racial inequalities. News organizations such as CBC have laid out measures that will favor minority groups.
References
Hillebrecht, C. (2012). The Domestic Mechanisms of Compliance with International Human Rights Law: Case Studies from the Inter-American Human Rights System. Human Rights Quarterly, 34(4), 959-985.
Trust in Canadian police drops amid George Floyd protests: poll. (2020). Retrieved 17 June 2020, from https://globalnews.ca/news/7070091/trust-in-police-poll/
On George Floyd’s death, journalism and inclusive newsrooms | CBC News. (2020). Retrieved 17 June 2020, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/george-floyd-editor-note-1.5603018
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/george-floyd-editor-note-1.5603018